Elon Musk is no fan of ‘GTA’ — but X is desperate to bring the ‘GTA 6’ trailer to the platform | Mashable

December 6, 2023December 5, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Elon Musk has voiced his love for video games like Elden Ring in the past. But there’s one extremely popular game that Musk isn’t a fan of: Grand Theft Auto.

“Tried, but didn’t like doing crime,” Musk said in a reply to an X employee who said they had never played a GTA game before. “GTA5 required shooting police officers in the opening scene. Just couldn’t do it.”

GTA is a work of fiction – a video game – and playing it does not mean you are actually doing crime or shooting police officers. But Musk is entitled to his opinion. And GTA was certainly a big topic of conversation on Monday, after the trailer for GTA 6 leaked on Musk’s social media platform a day before it was supposed to launch.

Klarna freezes hiring because AI can do the job instead | Mashable

December 5, 2023December 4, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski is betting so big on AI that he’s instituted a hiring freeze.

“There will be a shrinking of the company,” said Siemiatkowski per The Telegraph. “We’re not currently hiring at all, apart from engineers.” Last May, 10 percent of the fintech company’s staff was laid off during a period of economic downturn for the tech industry.

This time, however, Klarna isn’t planning any layoffs. Instead, it is refraining from active recruitment with the expectation that AI can now handle many tasks that were previously performed by humans

Windows 12 may have a release date window of June 2024 | Mashable

December 5, 2023December 4, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Windows 12 could be coming as early as June 2024 if leaks are to be believed. This is good news for PC and laptop manufacturers looking to bounce back from dwindling hardware sales that boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The leak comes from a report by the Tawainese-based business newspaper The Commerical Times. The publication wrote that Microsoft would drop Windows 12 in June 2024. Additionally, the article stated that the release of Windows 12 would spark a new wave of AI PCs that will, hopefully, reinvigorate the laptop and PC market.

Alaska Air to buy Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 billion | CNN Business

December 4, 2023December 3, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Alaska Air (ALK) on Sunday announced it will buy rival Hawaiian Airlines (HA) for $1.9 billion.

The acquisition was the culmination of “several months” of negotiations, according to Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. It will include $900 million in Hawaiian Airlines debt.

“This is a fantastic deal that bring two airlines that have amazing loyalties in our regions together,” said Minicucci in a news conference, adding that the merger will give customers in both states expanded domestic and international choices.

We could end the AIDS epidemic in less than a decade. Here’s how. | Live Science

December 4, 2023December 3, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

An HIV diagnosis hasn’t been a death sentence for years, thanks to powerful medications.

Despite incredible progress, however, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) remains a global public health threat, with 1.3 million new infections and around half that many deaths in 2022 alone.

While new HIV infections have dropped steadily since their peak in 1995, as people live longer with the disease, the pool of people who are HIV-positive has only grown. People with HIV must consistently take medications to prevent the virus from becoming transmissible again or progressing to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). As a result, new infections could actually rebound fast if the world doesn’t dramatically ramp up the number of people being regularly treated, tested and protected from new HIV infections.

What Are Paid Leave Policies? | Business News Daily

December 1, 2023November 28, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Paid leave encapsulates several benefits, allowing employees to take a leave of absence for approved reasons. But what do these policies mean for workers and small businesses? Are they affordable, or do they unbearably balloon entrepreneurs’ budgets? Do they contribute to staff well-being and productivity? Read on to learn how paid leave policies can help your business.

What are paid leave policies?

Paid leave policies are regulations that extend job protection and paid time off (PTO) to workers for specific situations, such as illness and family emergencies. Different kinds of paid leave policies exist, including sick leave, family leave and parental leave. The exact provisions of these laws tend to vary widely locally and by state. Here’s a quick look at two of the most common types of paid leave policies.

Why You Shouldn’t Be Scared to Build Your Own Website | All Business

December 1, 2023November 28, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

There is no question about it: if you have a business, you need a website. Having a website is absolutely necessary in today’s digital world.

There are two main things that hold people back from getting a website. The first is money and the other is coding. For those with the money to spend, it can be costly to hire a programmer. For those without the money to spend, it can seem like coding is more trouble than it’s worth. I’m here to tell you that money and coding are non-issues when it comes to building a website. “Not so long ago, there would have been no question of hiring a pro to get the results you want,” writes Leo Welder. “But thanks to the rise of online tools like website builders, it has become much easier for the non-techies among us to build a more-than-decent website.” Here are the biggest reasons why it’s a good idea to build your own website.

The cost is not that significant

Think about the money you will need to pay to a web development firm to create your website. If you have the money to do it, I would recommend going that route. After all, you don’t want to waste time building your website when you can focus on your business. However, not everyone has venture capital so you are likely on your own with this one.

How to Make Money on TikTok in 2023: The 15 Best Ways | Small Biz Trends

November 30, 2023November 27, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

TikTok, the dynamic short video-sharing platform, has witnessed exponential growth and popularity in recent years, becoming a sensation on the internet. Hosting short-form videos ranging from fifteen seconds to three minutes, this platform has accrued over a billion users worldwide. In the US alone, the app has been downloaded more than 200 million times, marking its footprint as a global phenomenon. Beyond its entertainment value, many are seeking to understand how to make money on TikTok.

Creators on TikTok leverage their smartphones to create and share a vast range of short videos, including dance, comedy, and educational content. The platform’s reach and engagement have also attracted numerous micro and macro-influencers to share their unique content with an eager and engaged audience.

What is Affiliate Marketing? Everything You Need to Know in 2023 | Small Biz Trends

November 30, 2023November 27, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Affiliate marketing is a great way to supplement your income if you own a website, write a blog, or are a social media influencer.

Affiliate marketers drive traffic to a company’s website and then earn a commission on any sales generated. By simply inserting tracked affiliate links into the text of your blog or website, you can literally earn money with little effort.

To begin, all you need is a captive audience and an affiliate program to earn commissions on new leads or sales generated when readers click on the links. Affiliate marketing is popular among businesses because it only pays if a specific action results in an increase in sales.

You can make quick money as a marketing affiliate by recommending great products and services to your readers.

Tips for Opening Another Business Location | Business

November 29, 2023November 27, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

If you run a successful brick-and-mortar business, you may be considering expanding to a second location. Opening a new store can be exciting, but it does come with significant risks. Another outpost brings additional costs, and there’s no guarantee your new location will be as successful as the first. However, if you go about it the right way, expanding your business can help you find new customers and achieve more profitable growth.

Tips for opening another business location

Opening and operating a second location takes as much work and consideration as your initial one. The following tips can set you up for success.